[Z06] My First Z06!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA USA
My First Z06!
Although I've had 3 previous C5's (all automatics), this is my first Z06. What a difference! The only real issue I'm facing is learning how to drive a 6-speed. It's been many, many years since I've owned a standard transmission. Any of you expert Z drivers out there have tips for this newbie? Anything at all? Proper RPM through the gears. Tips on stopping and starting while on a hill (I live in San Francisco). Thanks in advance for your insightful information.
P.S. I purchased a 2004 black on black Z.
P.S. I purchased a 2004 black on black Z.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 34,299
Likes: 1
From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Daryl
Although I've had 3 previous C5's (all automatics), this is my first Z06. What a difference! The only real issue I'm facing is learning how to drive a 6-speed. It's been many, many years since I've owned a standard transmission. Any of you expert Z drivers out there have tips for this newbie? Anything at all? Proper RPM through the gears. Tips on stopping and starting while on a hill (I live in San Francisco). Thanks in advance for your insightful information.
P.S. I purchased a 2004 black on black Z.
P.S. I purchased a 2004 black on black Z.
It doesn't matter where you shift, although if your rpm's are low it will skip shift staright to 4th gear. If the hills are to steep to hold a car with just the clutch & no brake, use the e-brake to hold you then you have an extra foot. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA USA
Originally Posted by lager99
Just let 're rip. It doesn't matter where you shift, although if your rpm's are low it will skip shift staright to 4th gear. If the hills are to steep to hold a car with just the clutch & no brake, use the e-brake to hold you then you have an extra foot.
It doesn't matter where you shift, although if your rpm's are low it will skip shift staright to 4th gear. If the hills are to steep to hold a car with just the clutch & no brake, use the e-brake to hold you then you have an extra foot. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,563
Likes: 4,609
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Originally Posted by Daryl
Although I've had 3 previous C5's (all automatics), this is my first Z06. What a difference! The only real issue I'm facing is learning how to drive a 6-speed. It's been many, many years since I've owned a standard transmission. Any of you expert Z drivers out there have tips for this newbie?
P.S. I purchased a 2004 black on black Z.
P.S. I purchased a 2004 black on black Z.
Congrats on the new Z06
Great choice 
Advanced
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Fountain Valley CA
Shifting
Buy a CAGS eliminator and have it installed. The hardest thing is jacking the car up. The part plugs in on the left side of the trans just forward of where the left half shaft goes into the dif. Make sure you zip tie the wiring harness so it does not flop around.
"Computer Assisted Gear Selection" You won't realize how irritating it is until its gone! When I skip shift in town, I like to go 1st to 3rd. Works much better for the in traffic stuff.
"Computer Assisted Gear Selection" You won't realize how irritating it is until its gone! When I skip shift in town, I like to go 1st to 3rd. Works much better for the in traffic stuff.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
Don't buy a CAGS eliminator. Just keep the rpms up and it won't even engage.
You sure have some learning to do living in SF with a stick Z06. Any manual is hard to master starting and stopping in hilly areas.
You sure have some learning to do living in SF with a stick Z06. Any manual is hard to master starting and stopping in hilly areas.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Originally Posted by Goody
and say welcome and enjoy. Use the ebrake to help out on the steep ones as already mentioned since it is only a few inches away from you. Wouldn't want to try that in a C4. 
the c4 ebrake takes a degree to know how to use.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Columbus OH
I 2nd the CAGS suggestion. If you are just getting back into manuals, the last thing you need is the transimission forcing you to shift from 1st to 4th at low RPM's. That is extremely dangerous, and I have no clue what NHTSA was thinking when they put that idea in place to avoid the guzzler tax.
If you are pulling out in traffic, and want to shift to 2nd, but are forced to 4th, and you need to move quickly, your going to lug the tranny in 4th and limp up to speed.
I happen to have a very, very mod friendly dealership, so I bought my CAGS eliminator from Ecklers.com, and they popped it in while they had my car up doing my first oil change. The "shift 1st to 4th" light still comes on, but you just ignore it and shift that tranny anyway you see fit!
I've had my '04 Z06 for two months, and still can't wait to jump into it.
You are in for a fun time
If you are pulling out in traffic, and want to shift to 2nd, but are forced to 4th, and you need to move quickly, your going to lug the tranny in 4th and limp up to speed.
I happen to have a very, very mod friendly dealership, so I bought my CAGS eliminator from Ecklers.com, and they popped it in while they had my car up doing my first oil change. The "shift 1st to 4th" light still comes on, but you just ignore it and shift that tranny anyway you see fit!
I've had my '04 Z06 for two months, and still can't wait to jump into it.
You are in for a fun time
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,984
Likes: 0
From: Central Coast CA
As I said CAGS is easy to get around by just keeping your rpms up. And you don't have to wind out the engine to do it. One year of Z06 ownership and CAGS has only engaged on me twice. That was when I first got it and hadn't figured out how to control it yet.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Stafford VA
Originally Posted by jnjboc
I 2nd the CAGS suggestion. If you are just getting back into manuals, the last thing you need is the transimission forcing you to shift from 1st to 4th at low RPM's. That is extremely dangerous, and I have no clue what NHTSA was thinking when they put that idea in place to avoid the guzzler tax.
If you are pulling out in traffic, and want to shift to 2nd, but are forced to 4th, and you need to move quickly, your going to lug the tranny in 4th and limp up to speed.
I happen to have a very, very mod friendly dealership, so I bought my CAGS eliminator from Ecklers.com, and they popped it in while they had my car up doing my first oil change. The "shift 1st to 4th" light still comes on, but you just ignore it and shift that tranny anyway you see fit!
I've had my '04 Z06 for two months, and still can't wait to jump into it.
You are in for a fun time
If you are pulling out in traffic, and want to shift to 2nd, but are forced to 4th, and you need to move quickly, your going to lug the tranny in 4th and limp up to speed.
I happen to have a very, very mod friendly dealership, so I bought my CAGS eliminator from Ecklers.com, and they popped it in while they had my car up doing my first oil change. The "shift 1st to 4th" light still comes on, but you just ignore it and shift that tranny anyway you see fit!
I've had my '04 Z06 for two months, and still can't wait to jump into it.
You are in for a fun time
hey daryl -- congrats on a great car!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 34,299
Likes: 1
From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by lilesv
the dealer will put it in? great! i've had my cags eliminator for some time, but no way to jack the car up -- and never had the nerve to ask the dealer... [been double-clutching to defeat the cags...] thanks for the tip!
hey daryl -- congrats on a great car!
hey daryl -- congrats on a great car!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 0
From: I'm not quite middle aged and I only own one gold chain! San Jose CA
My First Z06!
Hey...welcome to the Z club and more precisely to the Beautiful Black Z Club! I must say I admire your good taste in cars and the colors! 
I very much encourage you to buy the CAGS defeat...it is well worth the small expense and removes the hassle of having the computer decide to lug your engine at the most inoportune moments. Especially when living and driving in such a hilly city, you need to have the freedom to choose when to shift and to what gear.
Be patient, the Z is shifter friendly and it will come easier and smoother as time goes by.
I very much encourage you to buy the CAGS defeat...it is well worth the small expense and removes the hassle of having the computer decide to lug your engine at the most inoportune moments. Especially when living and driving in such a hilly city, you need to have the freedom to choose when to shift and to what gear.
Be patient, the Z is shifter friendly and it will come easier and smoother as time goes by.
